"It's rare that we have an opportunity to vote on something that has as personal and immediate of an impact on our constituents as marriage equality," said Senator Squadron. "Living up to New York's values means providing equal rights for all. That's why I will fight to win over my undecided colleagues and make sure we get this passed this year."

Senator Montgomery is joined by Sex and the City star Cynthia Nixon who traveled to the New York's State Capitol on Tuesday, June 14 to urge lawmakers to pass a marriage equality bill. The bill was approved by the Assembly that day.

Senator Montgomery, a long-time supporter of marriage equality noted that proponents of the bill have managed to close a vote gap in the Senate in a very short period of time but that the bill is still one vote shy of victory.

Senator Gianaris spoke to the Advocate about same-sex marriage following yesterday's rally advocationg for the passage of same-sex marriage.

A substantial contingent of elected officials, labor leaders, and other advocates hosted a press conference Wednesday to show support for marriage equality in Queens, N.Y., a borough represented by two undecided state senators key to passage of the legislation.

Senator Gustavo Rivera joined Bronx community leaders and elected officials at a press conference in support of marriage equality. The press conference was sponsored by the Bronx Rainbow Independent Democratic Association (BRIDA) and the Bronx Community Pride Center.

“The right to marry your partner, to take care of your partner when they're sick, take time off from work to care for them - those are basic rights all New Yorkers deserve," said Senator Rivera. "Denying marriage to same-sex couples is a discriminatory practice. I believe New Yorkers deserve equal rights and that includes marriage equality."

Senator Rivera has committed to voting in favor of marriage equality when there is a vote on the floor of the New York State Senate.

Senator José M. Serrano today joined government colleagues and gay rights advocates on the steps of the Bronx Courthouse, to urge lawmakers to vote in favor of a Marriage Equality bill. "It's a travesty that in this day and age there are people among us who don't have the same rights as others," said Senator Serrano. "Marriage Equality is one of the most critical civil rights issues of our time, and we must not back down until we have equal rights for all the people of New York State"The press conference was organized by Brida Bronx Rainbow Independent Democratic Association, Bronx Marriage Equality Now, the Bronx Community Pride Center, and Bronx District Leader Kenny Agosto.

NYS MEMBERS OF COLOR PUSH FOR REPEAL OF VACANCY DECONTROL TO PROTECT THOUSANDS OF LOW- AND MODERATE-INCOME NEW YORKERSLaws to sunset in two weeks; group urges Gov. Cuomo to strengthen rent regulation laws

The Independent Democratic Conference today reaffirmed its support for marriage equality and released a report showing that New York State stands to generate some $391 million in increased economic activity, revenue, and savings during the three years after it is made law.

“I am extremely pleased that Governor Cuomo has made the passage of marriage equality legislation one of his top priorities for this legislative session. With polls now showing a clear majority of New Yorkers supporting marriage equality, I am more and more optimistic that if the Senate Majority allows the bill to come to the floor for a vote, it will have a good chance of passing.

District Office Designated a Participating Site in YWCA-Sponsored “Stand Against Racism”

Senator Suzi Oppenheimer (D-Mamaroneck) has designated her district office (222 Grace Church Street, Suite 305, Port Chester, NY) as a “Participating Site” in the Fourth Annual Stand Against Racism, sponsored by the YWCA. Stand Against Racism is a movement that began in 2008 to unite communities in celebration of diversity and to raise awareness that racism and injustice still exist in the world today.

Senator Oppenheimer will begin her day on April 29th at a Stand Against Racism breakfast and book signing with author Sana Butler at the Jay Heritage Center in Rye. The event is sponsored by YWCA of White Plains and the Harriet Tubman House. Sana Butler, a freelance reporter and special correspondent with Newsweek International, is the author of “Sugar of the Crop,” which tells the compelling story of the quest to find the last surviving children of slaves. The Jay Heritage Center is the boyhood home of founding father, John Jay, a known leader of the anti-slavery movement of the 18th and 19th centuries.